You hear the word “vintage” thrown around, but what does it really mean? Some people thing it means antique, some think it means costume, some just think it means used. But what’s right?
The reason for the confusion is that the word “vintage” is actually used in two ways. The first, and most common, definition is just jewelry that is pre-owned, but since puts about any piece of jewelry in the vintage category, it’s often further—through less definitively—defined as old jewelry that has come back into style. (Pawn shops in Northern Virginia definitely want to make sure whatever they have to offer is trendy in all the best ways.)
The second definition of “vintage” in terms of jewelry is merely an identifying word that recognizes the jewelry as of a certain era. For example, horns, peace signs, or silver and turquoise might characterize vintage jewelry from the seventies. Because estate jewelry is anything that’s been previously owned, all vintage jewelry is estate jewelry, though all estate jewelry is not necessarily vintage, because it could be antique (feel like you’re back in philosophy class)?
No need to be confused. To put it simply, antique jewelry is usually defined as more than 100 years old. Vintage, at least right now, is going to be jewelry made between 1920 and 1980. Next week, we’ll discuss some categories within these designations but, for now, come on into to Loudoun Jewelry on Maple Avenue and let us show you our vintage collection.